New Blog!

Don't forget to visit my new blog!!! :) http://jeffreyandsarah.wordpress.com/

We've Moved!

Although the new blog site is still in the works, I am going to be blogging from it now instead of from this one. I am not adjusted to it yet, but practice will make perfect. Right?

Please continue to follow me: http://jeffreyandsarah.wordpress.com/

You will find all my posts that I had stored up in this blog transferred over to the other, and I'm just going forward from where I left off here...

Enjoy!

December 21st- To Do Without

A quote from my father in law: "When we get up to heaven, God is going to say, "you guys really twisted Christmas.'"

Hopping onto Facebook and seeing this quote made me settle on today's question: What part of the Christmas season could you do without?

I love giving gifts, so I enjoy that aspect of it... I wish a dollar amount didn't have to be placed on everything, though. I mean, why do we (as humans) spend spend spend. This year, I saved a ton of money by NOT doing that. I made gifts, I shopped sales, and I'm trying to give people my TIME more than anything. So far, so good!

I could really do without all the materialism. I hate malls this time of year. I don't like the lists people make of what they want and need... sometimes I wish, for even just a day, we could each take a turn living in poverty and realize that all we have is more than we need.

Christmas is about reflecting on the birth of our Savior... and the humility of it and God's great plan through all of it. When did it really start to get so twisted?

It's Better to Give Than to Receive!

A great Christmas story---- This apparently was written by Rian B. Anderson in a little book called "A Christmas Prayer." From Deseret Book web site: "Rian Anderson has been a sheep herder for most of his life. He wrote this story one freezing night in the desert while pondering true needs and how to share the true meaning of Christmas with his children."


Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving.

It was Christmas Eve. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible.

After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity.

Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.

Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on.

After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"

"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what?

Yeah," I said, "Why?"

"I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt."

That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

"What's in the little sack?" I asked.

"Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern.

We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?"

"Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?"

Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp.

"We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out.

"We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up."

I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us."

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it.

Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.

At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away.

Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, May the Lord bless you; I know for certain that He will."

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

December 20th- What's Left?

I'm late again... I think the busyness of the season (and my exhaustion) gets the best of me sometimes.



Yesterday's questions was: What do you have left to do of your Christmas preparations?



Well, I was able to check one more thing off of my "to do" list yesterday- a friend and her children, as well as my nieces, came over to help me decorate Christmas cookies! I now only have one more batch to make... probably later today! And in addition to that, I have a couple small gifts to buy and then a few gifts to wrap... and we're done!




I would've much rather have been done a week or so ago. That's always my intention. There's nothing I can do now, so I just have to enjoy the season!!!

I'm Late Again...

December 19th- Did you wear something special to church the Sunday before Christmas and/or Christmas Eve?



We did... we always wore a nice Christmas dress- not those velvety, poofy things they make, but just something cute, simple, plaid, and special. Usually it was a hand-me-down, but it was still special for us.

December 18th- Baking

Do you do any holiday baking? If so- what is a "tradition" that you enjoy making each year?



I attempt to bake each Christmas season... I think all four Christmases that I've been married I've baked at least a little bit.





The one thing I feel like I have to make each year (as tradition) is sugar cookies. We have a family recipe that we love... it uses almond extract. Mmmm! And then we make our own frosting... which is not too thick or sugary. Very yummy.



Other than that- I love gingerbread cookies... not necessarily a tradition, but I do try to make them. And then I try to do something else too... chocolate chip or something.



What about you?

Oops! I'm Late...

December 17th- What are your favorite Christmas songs?



I knew this would be the question for the day, but I wasn't sure of my answer, so I put it off. And then I just kept putting it off all day and never did it. Oops.



I do know that my favorite Christmas song (at least this year...) is "O Come O Come Emmanuel." I love that song.




I like a lot of others too, but there are several that I don't like... that just don't sound like Christmas songs. (What's up with that?!?)



Anyway... what about you?

December 16th- Christmas Lights

Do you go around every Christmas season and look at Christmas lights?



Jeff and I have tried to make it a tradition... we used to go with my mom, but now we just go with whoever, if anybody. We don't mind going alone, but sometimes other people around to "ooh" and "ahh" with us is nice.



Please don't hate me or think poorly of me if I tell you this little secret... when we'd go look at lights with my mom, we'd go to Barrington, where the houses are HUGE and the people are rich. We even went past some houses of famous people... can't remember who... but we did. Anyway; those houses are totally lit up... it's great. If a house didn't have lights or decorations up, we'd say "They must be Jewish."

Obviously THOSE people are not Jewish...

Speaking of looking at lights... I have to tell you about when I was growing up. My sisters and I (well, mostly Molly and I) would play a "light looking game." She'd sit on one side of the car on the way home from church (or the store, or wherever...) and I'd sit on the other side. We'd count how many houses had lights and/or decorations on them. It was so fun! I loved doing that as a kid.

December 15th- All I Want For Christmas

What do you want for Christmas? You know... besides the basics like "world peace" or "good health." I was thinking, believe it or not, of more material things... (I am SO not a materialistic girl, so this is very odd that I'm even asking.)

I'm just curious! I posted this on Facebook and some of the answers I got were interesting!

Me? I don't know... tights, socks, leggings, some CDs, scrapbooking things, anything really! I don't need anything (thank God, He blesses me so much!)... so I'm pretty set.

What about you?

The Title

I change my blog title a lot, I know... but the new title was inspired by my mother...

Last winter my grandpa passed away. I told my mom I wasn't sure what to say to people at the funeral, and she told me I didn't have to say anything at all if I didn't want to. But then she laughed and told me about a funeral she went to (AS AN ADULT, mind you)... she saw her cousin at her aunt's funeral and what does my (cute and adorable) mom say!?! "Fancy meeting you here!" Oh my word... what a nerd. I asked her if she did a little leprechaun dance after saying that... but she didn't.

Anyway; I like that phrase. And now my mom and I use it a lot. I thought it was fitting for my blog... at least for now.

Stay Calm, Dad

December 14th- Praising God

We're at the 14th of December, and I want to know what you are praising God for this Christmas season? It can be anything! I want to read your comments and hear all about it.



I have so much to praise God for...



* My salvation. Without God sending His Son (Jesus) to be born on earth and then to die- for our sins- I am nothing! My hope lies in this amazing truth that God became man, so He would die for my sins... once and for all. Praise God that I am saved from the ways of this world and from my human nature.



* My husband... it has been a rough year for us, but Jeffrey has stuck close to me through everything. And really? I think the hardships only made us stronger and more in love... so I'm very thankful for that.



* My parents. My parents have been two of my best friends in the last 7 years or so... they never fail to give me wonderful advice, love me unconditionally, and they are there for me when I'm sick, sad, or weak.



* My sisters. I have 3 sisters... Jessica, Katie, and Molly (I talk about them all a lot in my blog). They are wonderful. I just praise God that He has made us close in heart (not so much in location)... My sisters are each very amazing women and I have learned so much from them.



* My cats. Yes, I am praising God for my cats- Sydney, Bailey, and Zuzu. They all drive me crazy throughout the day, but they also bring me a lot of joy. I don't work, so I have some companionship while I'm home alone. (And between the three of them, there is bound to be at least one cat that will be my friend if I need one!)



* Our Honda. I want to laugh, writing about "our Honda." This car is almost 11 yrs old. It was a gift from Jeffrey's parents when we got married. It was his mom's car and then they passed it onto us. We have loved this car and it's been so good to us. This year I had to get rid of my car (why pay insurance on a car you can't drive!?!). But I am reminded how blessed we are to have any car at all.



* Our home. It's small. It's on a busy street. It's not in the best of neighborhoods. But I am blessed to have any home at all. It's warm. It's safe. It has electric and plumbing... and really... it's pretty cute.



* Jeffrey's job. He doesn't make a ton of money. But I don't care. We're livin' on love. We are careful with the money he makes and we're able to pay our bills and buy groceries. Praise God for that... especially in this economy.



* My health. Although there have been some rocky roads to cross here and there- I just praise God that I'm alive, thriving, and that He has brought me through those hard times. If I am able to wake up each morning and move my body, I have plenty to be thankful for.



* My social security disability money. Back in January I was (finally) granted SSD. I was sooooo excited, as you can imagine. I am able to stay home and take care of my health (and the house!) and still get money to help with the bills. Praise God for His faithfulness and for answering prayer!



* Friends. I have drawn closer to many of my friends this year. I just praise God for bringing wonderful people into my life and for giving the joy of friendship.



There is obviously so much more to praise God for... what about you?

December 13th- Continuation From Yesterday

I gave myself permission to finish yesterday's post today. But it's about 4pm, so before I run out of time AGAIN, I'd better share with you a few more Christmas memories that I have!!!

The year my dad built us a Barbie doll house- like seriously, people! He BUILT one. He didn't go out and buy one and then just put it all together... he built it. We got a bunch of furniture to go with it, and of course- it was a really cool present and a very Barbie Christmas.

The year my mom came over on Christmas Eve and had garbage bags FILLED with gifts for us! She had us put bows on all the presents and set them under the tree. Our family had never seen so many presents! Mom was working retail that year, and had scored some deals on things we needed- coats, hats, scarves, mittens, clothes, underwear, socks, etc... That was super fun... and great memories.

I remember, on several different occasions, singing with my sisters on Christmas Eve at church. I loved doing that- seemed like a tradition.

One year we got a doll that stood about 2 1/2' (or so?) high. She was made of plastic, and had flat feet so she could stand. We were trying to decide what to name her, and meanwhile, Mom was changing a (very stinky) diaper of Molly's. My Grandpa (HoJo) suggested we name the doll "Smelly." I remember thinking that was so funny.

A few years ago, my parents bought Jeff and me a digital camera (my first one!). I knew we hadn't had enough money for it, and I never imagined that my parents would have money for it! But when I opened that gift, I burst into tears.

Those are just a handful of memories. But I love to hear from you... so share some of your memories with me.

December 12th- Christmas Memories

Can you share (at least) one of your favorite Christmas memories?



One of my favorite memories was on a Christmas Eve... my dad realized he had left a gift at work. He let me drive all the way to Northbrook (from Elgin)... on my permit. It was snowing and I was getting nervous. When we got to UL (where he worked) he ran in to get the gift and then came right back. I knew he'd want me to drive to get the experience, but he was so sweet and could tell how scared I was. He suggested we switch. He drove home (and it started snowing harder), and we listened to Christmas music on the radio on our way home. It was so fun... just Daddy and me.











I do have more to blog about. But I'm so tired. I never got to finish this post. Can we make tomorrow be part two of this one? Thanks!

December 11th- Christmas Programs

Were you/are you currently in any kind of Christmas programs?



Yep- as a kid I did all the Christmas programs at church... even in youth group we did them!!! I have to admit- as cheesy as they were... and yes, they were pretty cheesy... I did enjoy it.



Now, as an adult, I'm part of the choir so we do a Christmas Choral Cantata. And tomorrow morning is the big day!!! I'm nervous and excited all at once!


Tomorrow night I get to watch ALL THREE of my nieces in their Christmas program! Evie is going to be Mary (it's not for the entire show, but just for a piece of it). I'm so excited. Eloise and Audrey are ready to do their parts too.


Unfortunately, I am missing my niece, Laurel's, piano recital tomorrow night (in Minnesota). :( But I was reassured when I called her today that her daddy will try to record it. Maybe I'll get to see it on tape.


It's the most wonderful time of the year... ♪♫♪♪♫♫♪

December 10th- Lies

What is the funniest story you were told as a kid or that you've told as an adult in order to "lie" about Santa?


I honestly don't know. As I mentioned before- my parents never "lied" to us about Santa. So I never had that problem. And my nieces all know that Santa isn't real... so I don't have to lie about that to them either. If I lie at all, it's just small lies like "Yes, Santa can fit into your house." Or "Yes, Santa will be able to get into your house even though you don't have a chimney."



Although, this question today was inspired by something my younger sister said/did to a little girl we both nannied/babysat for in our college years. Molly? Care to enlighten us? ☺

December 9th- Christmas Trees

Do you put up a Christmas tree at your house? Have you gotten to put it up yet, or do you wait until even closer to Christmas? And do you put up a real tree or an artificial tree?

We have two trees up this year- both artificial. ☺ I like to put the tree (or trees) up the weekend after Thanksgiving, but sometimes that doesn't happen- like this year... it ended up being a longer process... but oh well!

I love the big colorful lights... and my family (growing up) would mix in some twinkle lights with those so that you had a beautiful, yet not too crazy tree. Our tree in the house has big colorful bulbs and colorful ornaments.

The tree on the porch has white lights, that don't blink or anything. And I used mostly red, white, gold, and silver ornaments on that tree... I like how it turned out. (This is our first year with a tree out on our porch.)

Did You Notice?

THAT I GOT A NEW CAMERA!?!



In my previous post (Angelic Play) I posted two photos that I took with my new camera! Jeffrey got me a camera for my birthday this year- it's a Samsung HZ50W... pretty fancy and very fun!!!

Here is some of my work:

Zuzie

Bailey

Audrey

Eloise

Angelic Play

My five year old niece, Eloise, dressed up as an angel. She announced to me that she was the angel that visited Mary and Joseph and told them about Jesus' birth. She was dressed up in some beautiful accessories that made her look the angelic part.

"I like your purse. It's very nice." I told her.
"Thanks, it's real fuzz." She proudly answered.

(When was the last time you were shopping for something... a coat, hat, mittens, scarf, anything... and asked the clerk "Is this real fuzz?" ☺)



She continued playing and explains to me (a human) that sometimes she has to come to Earth to buy things. And that Jesus had told her to go to a garage sale and get some things for Him.

Not only that, but she hand delivered a letter (though invisible) to me... straight from Jesus Himself. I wasn't sure what it said, so she read it for me- He just wanted me to know He loves me. How sweet!

Well, as if that wasn't enough fun, it gets better! Eloise, er, I mean, Angel told me that sometimes she goes into my heart to see it.

"You know how Jesus goes into your heart and can see how it's doing? I sometimes go in there with Him. You don't even know when we do, but we do."

I was slightly shocked to imagine Eloise shrinking down (Magic Schoolbus Style?) to take a look at my heart.

"I was in your heart with Jesus when you had surgery... I was making sure it was still thumping. It was."

(What a relief! Is this my guardian angel? I'm getting confused.)



"Oh! And Jesus loves your prayers. You are doing a good job."












And during all this imaginative play, Audrey walked up to me with her winter hat on and said "And I'm baby Jesus."

(She is not wearing her winter hat in this photo... but she is so cute anyway!)